Connector shielding apparatus and methods

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly having shielded cage assembly with at least one port for receiving modules, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the modules comprise SFP-type (small form-factor pluggable) modules, and the shielded cage assembly comprises an EMI shield member that is disposed at a port opening for the electrical connector assembly. In one variant, the EMI shield member can be disposed on the electrical connector cage assembly without the need for secondary processing techniques such as soldering, or resistance welding. This is accomplished via for example the utilization of mechanical snap features.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
 an insulative housing; and 
 a shield assembly at least partly enclosing the insulative housing and comprising a body shield member having one or more port openings, and a noise shield member disposed at least partly around the body shield member adjacent the one or more port openings; 
 wherein the noise shield member comprises one or more snap features that cooperate with a respective feature on the body shield member, the cooperation obviating a need for one or more secondary processing techniques when disposing the noise shield member around the body shield member; and 
 wherein at least one of the one or more snap features comprises a generally C-shaped element, the C-shaped element configured to fit substantially around at least a portion of an edge of the body shield member such that the one or more snap features contact both an internal and external face of the noise shield member. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the snap feature further comprises a louvered feature disposed proximate the C-shaped element. 
     
     
       3. The electrical connector of  claim 2 , wherein the shield assembly further comprises a slot, the slot sized to accommodate the louvered feature. 
     
     
       4. The electrical connector of  claim 3 , wherein the noise shield member further comprises a plurality of electromagnetic interference (EMI) tabs. 
     
     
       5. The electrical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the generally C-shaped element has a cavity feature disposed therein. 
     
     
       6. The electrical connector of  claim 5 , wherein the generally C-shaped element comprises an inner portion, an outer portion, and a transitional portion disposed there between, and the cavity feature is disposed at least on the outer portion of the generally C-shaped element. 
     
     
       7. The electrical connector of  claim 6 , wherein the shield assembly further comprises a post feature, the post feature sized to fit at least partially within the cavity feature of the generally C-shaped element. 
     
     
       8. The electrical connector of  claim 7 , wherein the post feature is disposed on a divider cage member of the shield assembly. 
     
     
       9. The electrical connector of  claim 6 , wherein the outer portion is disposed within the port opening when the noise shield member is disposed on the shield assembly. 
     
     
       10. The electrical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more secondary processing techniques comprise at least one of: (i) eutectic solder processing, and/or (ii) spot welding. 
     
     
       11. A noise shield member for use on an electrical connector assembly, the noise shield member comprising an attachment feature, the attachment feature comprising:
 a substantially arcuate portion, the substantially arcuate portion extending outward from the noise shield member and configured to house a front edge of a port opening of the electrical connector assembly; and 
 a protruding portion that extends inward toward the interior of the port opening when the noise shield member and the electrical connector assembly are assembled. 
 
     
     
       12. The noise shield member of  claim 11 , wherein the arcuate portion comprises a substantially C-shaped element. 
     
     
       13. The noise shield member of  claim 12 , wherein the protruding portion comprises a louvered feature disposed proximate the substantially C-shaped element. 
     
     
       14. The noise shield member of  claim 11 , wherein the noise shield member comprises a top noise shield member and a distinct bottom noise shield member; and
 wherein use of the distinct bottom noise shield member is configured to minimize an amount of wasted material during the noise shield member manufacturing process. 
 
     
     
       15. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
 an insulative housing; and 
 a shield assembly at least partly enclosing the insulative housing and defining a plurality of port openings, the shield assembly comprising:
 an external shield member; 
 a noise shield member disposed about the external shield member and adjacent the plurality of port openings; and 
 a divider shield member that at least partly separates at least two of the plurality of port openings; 
 
 wherein the noise shield member comprises an attachment feature that cooperates with a respective feature at the port openings defined by the shield assembly to secure the noise shield member to the external shield member; and 
 wherein the attachment feature comprises a shield receiving portion, the shield receiving portion configured to fit substantially round a front edge that defines at least one of the port openings of the shield assembly. 
 
     
     
       16. The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment feature further comprises a protruding feature in addition to the shield receiving portion. 
     
     
       17. The electrical connector of  claim 16 , wherein the external shield member further comprises a slot, the slot sized to accommodate the protruding feature. 
     
     
       18. The electrical connector of  claim 17 , wherein the shield receiving portion comprises a cavity feature disposed therein. 
     
     
       19. The electrical connector of  claim 18 , wherein the divider shield member comprises a post feature, the post feature sized to fit at least partially within the cavity feature of the shield receiving portion.